Aircraft safety device



May 24, 1927.

J. OSTAND AIRCRAFT SAFETY DEVICE Filed Feb. 5, 1927 2 Shets-Sheet 1 1 f v 1630,21] May 24, 1927. J. OSTAND AIRCRAFT SAFETY DEVICE Filed Feb. 5, 1927 z Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 24 1927.,

- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH OSTA'ND, or CINCINNATI, OHIO.

AIRCRAFT SAFETY DEVICE.

a r Application filed February 3, 1927. Serial No. 165,573.

This invention is particularly designed with the object of adapting itself to use in connection with any type of aircraft for the especialsaving of life in the event of accident.

A further object is to produce a safety device wherein a parachute principle is employed, but wherein a novel form of opening device for assuring the prompt opening of a parachute, is elnplo ed together with means to still further assist in the preservation of life after the person so provided has reached the earths surface. i These and other objects are attained in the device described in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which i Fig. v1 is an elevational view showing the flight position of an airplane equipped with a safety device embodying my nvention.

Fig. 2 is-a view showing the airplane of Fig. 1 in the act of getting beyond the control of the pilot, with the released safety device in the act of saving the pilot.

Fig. 3 is a composite view showing the airplane of Figs. 1 and 2 completely out of control and the pilot safely'descending to the Earth with my safety device taking care of Fig. 4 is a view showing 'how m device will also act to save the person in t e event of alighting in water. v

Fig. .5 is a somewhat enlarged transverse sectional view taken on the line 33' of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a somewhat enlarged plan view of the portion'of the device in which the aviator sits and which immediately surrounds his person.

My invention contemplates'the utilizing of a compartment 7 in w ich portions of the safety device arecontained under normal flying conditions, other parts thereof being contained in the cockpit 8 with the aviator. The portions contained in the compartment 7 consists of the parachute parts. These are the parachute proper 9 and a parachute expander 1O which performs the function of securing a prompt opening of the parachute as well as assurin that itis clear of entangleinents with t e chassis, win or other parts of the airplane. The nove ty of this balloon-parachute combination lies in so I positionlng and securing the expander 10 within a port or central y located opening in the parachute 9 that the-entire parachute planner much resembling the. opening of aroll top desk, or similar structure. This idea has been shown in one form in Fig.-

5, in which one section :11 is held in closed position with a cooperating section .12 by a 1 suitable latch 13 which is controllable from the pilots cockpit. When this latch is re.- leased these sections drop thus opening the compartment to release the balloon and its expanding but clinging parachute therefrom,

dotted lines-showing this dropped or open position.-

Then, connecting the parachute 9 with the device located in the cock pit, are the -many or usual small ropes or cables These are disposed somewhat as shown In Fig. 1. In the cockpit is the other portion of the device, which rests upon a suitable support or saddle 15. This portion of the device consists of three elements. One of these is the round and somewhat doughnut shaped element or buoy 16, to the periphery of which the cables 14 of the parachute are attached in spaced relation. Centrally of this buoy a hole or opening 17 is-located, a canvas or other convenient light and strong seat 18 being locatedtherein. The aviator sits upon this and the buoy which in turn suports the seat is attached to cigar shaped buoys 19 and 20 which are located to the sides of the aviator. It is these buoys 19 l and 20 which preferably rest upon the saddle 15 so that the tout ensemble may be easily lifted from the saddle in the event of ac- Now, the function performed by the saddle supported portions of the safety device, is rather unique. Of course all the elements 16,19 and 20-are preferably inflated with the same buo ant gas as is contained in the balloon-parac ute expander, which lightens theburden of the parachute and cases the descent of the aviator, without subjecting the aviator to severe jolts and shocks physically. However the principal function performed by this buo event he ali hts in water. ThisIhave shown in Fig. 4. a fact he is loweredupon the 'cident such as I have attempted to illustrate.

structure is that of saving the aviator rom drowning in the the position he occupied While in descent.

water surface easily and floats thereon in the rims of and the annular inflated element.

2. An aircraft safety devlce comprising a 25 effected by cables in spaced 'Of course, the parachute becomes somewhat deflated upon reaching the earth, but the balloon-parachute expander 10 supports the parachute in the air, thus preventing it from falling upon the floating aviator and entangling him.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is 1. An aircraft safety device comprising a parachute, a balloon secured within and at the apex of the parachute, adapted'to support the parachute in partially expanded condition previous to complete expansion thereof, and an aviator-supporting buoy attached to the parachute, said buoy consisting of a substantially annular seat supporting inflated element, and an elongated inflated element attached thereto and in so porting relation thereto to each side thereo attachment of said aviator-supportin buoy being relation about parachute, a ballon secured within and at the apex of the parachute, adapted to support the parachute in partially expanded condition previous to complete expansion thereof, and an aviator-supporting buoy attached to the parachute, said buoy consisting of a substantially annular seat supporting inflated element, and an elon ated inflated element attached thereto and in supporting relation thereto to each sidethereof, attachment of said aviator-supporting buoy being effected by cables in spaced relation about the rims of and the annular inflated element, a containing compartment behind the aviator, closed by arced doors and operated by the aviator for opening and closing, for releasing the balloon-parachute from said compartment or for holding same in locked position.

In witness whereof, I aflix my signature.

' JOSEPH OSTAND. 

